Buckle up for rowdy rides

IF you are a big kid at heart and love a ride that takes you back to your childhood, the Magic Circus ride at the Mackay show is a must.

As you step inside the funhouse you are transported to a world where your feet play tricks on you, there are obstacles in your path that make you laugh as the music pumps and the lights flash.

The Magic Circus is just one of the many rides that will capture the imagination of show patrons next week.

Magic Circus owner Emile Verfurth, who is a fourth-generation showman, said the Magic Circus was made in Germany.

“It arrived in Australia at the end of January and this is its first time on the show circuit. I took three trips to Germany before I made my decision - I wanted to see how it worked and how popular it was.”

Mr Verfurth used to own the Ali Baba, but decided to buy the Magic Circus because it was more family-oriented.

“Some shows are suited to teenagers, but I wanted something for the whole family.”

He said the atmosphere at the Mackay show was one of a kind.

“There is always noise and it is always colourful - it is not sterile,” he joked.

Yesterday travelling showmen, women and children were putting together large rides, stalls and food carts in time for the gates to open on Tuesday morning at 9.

As you wander through the Mackay showgrounds you see a tiny community building - its livelihood.

For Bronson Little, being a showman is in his blood. In fact he is a fifth-generation showman and hopes that his three sons will carry on the tradition.

Mr Little travels across the country with sons, Leyton, 9, Phoenix, 7, and Sia, 2, and wife Lauren. He said it took about a day-and-a-half of hard work to assemble his rides.

Many of the showmen and families arrived in Mackay a week ago.

In the time the show's 150 travelling families spent in the region Mr Little said about $1 million would be injected into the city's economy.

“A lot of people spend money to fix their tyres or buy groceries. It upsets me that some people only see the side where we take the money and leave - that is not the case.

“We buy everything from cleaning products to eating in restaurants - that is our lifestyle,” he said.

Mr Little owns the Mega Drop ride and said it was one of the popular attractions.

“I first rode the Mega Drop and it terrified me - so I bought it,” he joked.

He first tried the ride in Hong Kong. “It is the best heart starter”.

Mackay Show Society secretary Steve Gavioli said last year's show was the best he could remember.

“We look at different shows everywhere so we pick up quickly on the new rides and fads out there,” he said.

Mr Little said 'sideshow alley' would be unbelievable on Wednesday night.

“We want people to come out and have a good time at the show with their family and friends.”